A/N: This chapter is dedicated to my reviewers. Thank you everyone for reviewing this fic.*HUGS* Without you this update won't be possible. Sorry for my late review replies but I'm definitely gonna find time to thank each one of ya individually.
Love Me: Chapter 3
"Here's the cheque. This is the first and the last time. If we can, let's not meet unnecessarily from now on."
Retrieving her black wayfarers and quickly dabbing away tears that reluctantly escaped her grey eyes, the auburn head did not look back as she left the hotel lounge and stepped right into the buzzing streets of Karakura city.
She wished her parents came back looking for her in different circumstances. Perhaps explained that they were gone all those years for a valid cause, and finally were able to find her - because they missed her, and wanted to, well, get to know her. Not parents who heard about her wedding to a multimillion dollar corporation heir in the news, and finally found her so they can ask for money.
She had to end the relationship there and then, or it will be a never ending cycle.
No more tears.
She was please with herself for making a good decision, and handling the situation well.
However... ... she was slightly surprised that they did not make a sound that she only gave half of what they requested. She had planned to send it to them at a later date (to make sure they don't blow it all at one shot). They merely nodded quietly, and somewhat hesitantly. They even announced that they'll be moving away to Yokohama – even wishing her well.
The auburn hair girl can only hope that they don't come back to create any trouble for her... her husband's family.
Ichigo's maternal family were quite scary to deal with. She knew because she the first hand experience of dealing with them when she married Ichigo. They listed down in writing the do's and don'ts of being a good wife and demanded that she obey them. Although Ichigo inherited the corporation, he was not as experience and knowledgeable as his uncle and aunt, who were in charge of running the corporation. They were smart and shrewd, as required to run such a large corporation. While Ichigo was sitting among the board of directors of the company, he was still in the process of learning about the company – he wasnt given CEO by default, he has to work his way up, with a lot to prove.
Ichigo's dad and sisters however, treated her like a gem. She has always considered them family because they treated her like one of them – even if Ichigo did not. Isshin always joked around with her; Yuzu was sweet and caring despite being younger; Karin was cool to hang out with, and she would always make fun of her own brother. Maybe.. maybe they felt a need to be extra nice to her because they felt sorry for the way the marriage turn out.
Not that Orihime paraded her marriage to a single soul. It was too embarrassing to tell anyone. And she just didn't see a point in burdening others with her failed marriage. Besides...
He was the love of her life. She loved him before she knew him. When she got to know him better, the love only became stronger, deeper, unconditional and to point of irrevocable. Even if he did not love her, he had gone to the gates of Hueco Mundo hell to save her, even almost lost his own life because of her.
What more could she ask for? Would she stand by him even if he wasn't an ideal husband? Would she wait for him until he'd one day... perhaps one day, see her?
The answer was quite obvious.
"Where's my reward? I want it now,"
"Geeze, Tomoko, patience..."
"But Ichi-kun!"
And speak of the devil...
Stunned, grey eyes followed the voice and looked at the couple from behind her wayfarers. A blonde tanned girl clung onto Ichigo. She had a super toned and hot body in a tight white dress, carrying a confident and feisty aura despite her sweet voice. The blonde kept pestering Ichigo about something... and at that moment she just knew... from their body language that they were having an affair of some sort.
Orihime was not stupid, she may have been a klutz or slightly oblivious – but never stupid. It was impossible that Ichigo was not seeing someone. He was young, handsome and rich. Given that they slept in separate rooms, there's no way she'd believe he has been sexually inactive for the past year. The only thing she hoped for was he was not serious about any particular girl, that she'd always be the one he'd come home to. Literally.
Still, it did not make it less painful.
That night, the young husband came home, tired and moody.
Tossing his briefcase on the couch, he felt something amiss.
There was no cheerful smile or warm welcome by the door. Instead, he found his wife making cupcakes in the kitchen. Entering the kitchen, he heard her say a soft 'hello' without turning to look at him.
Reaching for a glass of water, he waited for her to ramble on about the type of cupcakes she's making.
However, she didn't say a word as he watched her from the corner of his eye. It was awfully silent. And it wasn't like him to make small talks. She was always the one who started the conversation with him.
He wondered what's wrong with her. Was it because of her parents? He was sure he'd taken care of that earlier that day.
"The name is Tomoko." Her voice was sweet, but scathing.
"Here are your train tickets to Yokohama. And this is the key to your new apartment. I know people. And they know how to track you down. Stay away from her. And my men will stay away from you. Go live your own lives, do something useful or enjoyable. Whatever it is, don't ever step even one foot into Karakura!"
Suddenly, the auburn head stood up. After packing her cupcakes, she headed for the stairs. The last sound Ichigo heard was the close of her bedroom door.
That moment, Ichigo seemed to realise that he had taken her presence for granted. The way she'd follow him like a puppy, the way she was in tune with his every mood. The silly things she did like spacing out or talking to herself.
Ever since they were in school, from how she bravely followed him to soul society... and then that hell hole Hueco Mundo... just for his sake. Her mere presence …simply her, were things that were just part of the background.
Somehow... he missed her despite being under the same roof.
The following days Orihime had been busy helping Tatsuki out with her engagement party preparation – settling the food catering, drinks, decoration, music. In the process, she got to meet some of Tatsuki's friends from university - Keiko, and even caught up with an old friend who used to be her number one fan, Chizuru.
It was two days prior to the engagement party. The planning and preparation was all done. Orihime got all the ingredients and equipment she needed for the tower of blue color and lavender scented vanilla cupcakes as her gift to the couple.
After a spa, manicure and pedicure treat, the four girls decided to hang out late because the next day would be perfect for rest, and recover right in time for the engagement. It was also a good chance let their hair down... maybe plan something for Tatsuki's girls' night out, which most definitely included gossip.
Which brings us to a designer store, where Orihime was in the fitting room, while the 3 girls waited impatiently outside.
The girls were in comfy flats (pedicure), simple tops, casual jeans, with the exception of Orihime who was in a floral A-line skirt. But decided they all needed to change into something more appropriate if they were heading out.
"What's taking you so long?"
Chizuru had changed into her new dark red tube and a pair of gold open toe heels which went perfectly with her own black skinny jeans.
Keiko also kept her blue jeans, but now wore a pair of suede peep toe heels, and green toga top which match her brunette hair perfectly.
While Tatsuki got a new white and silver off shoulder top and sparkly silver heels, and keeping her own dark grey jeans.
As for the auburn head, she was the only one not in jeans. They said her skirt was too "old and dull", so she had to get an entirely different outfit. Since picking one piece was easier than two, it was unanimously decided that she'd get a new dress.
"Mou... I don't think it suits me, I look hideous,"
"Hime, you look amazing in anything.. and you've tried at least 5!" Chizuru groaned.
"It's really not my styl-"
"What's wrong with this one, Hime?" Tatsuki knocked lightly on the fitting room door, "At least let me see it,"
There was a moment of silence before the door 'clicked' and revealed the auburn head.
Then, it was followed by three girls gasping and squealing in excitement.
Not long after, they reached the newly open rotating-sky-view restaurant, attracting a lot of attention as they were being led to their table.
"Hime, you should start charging those men for staring!"
The auburn head tugged at her dress, embarrassed.
"Don't do that, hold your head up high in confidence Hime," Tatsuki whispered to her best friend before she signal to their waiter and place their orders.
"You know... Good thing you're married," the brunette pointed to Orihime's wedding ring, "– with you as competition in the market, there's no way I'd get laid!" the girls burst into laughter at Keiko's statement.
"So how is wedding life? Is that scowl-face treating my Hime right?" Chizuru asked.
Tatsuki sent the red head a death glare. But as soon as it fell silent, the waiter came back with their drinks and entres. Orihime was grateful for the perfect timing that saved her from the topic.
As the drinks got refilled along with their tapas, the conversation on marriage came back. After all, Tatsuki was getting married soon – and she was the only one with experience of marriage. Who else to bombard the questions with but the auburn head?
With the effect of alcohol, Orihime was finally able to loosen and lighten up a notch as they hit the dance floor, feeling very much liberated. She didn't really bad mouth her husband.. but it was more of jokes on his expense.. And the girls' were totally cool about it and everyone just laughed it off. It was no dramas, life is not perfect. We do have complaints and things that irked us, and in times when the source is your partner – the best cure is to talk about it and laugh it off with your true girl friends.
11:58
He glared.
She better not be home after midnight.
He refused to think that something bad might have happen to her.
12:01
He pressed dial – no answer.
12:05
He pressed dial again.
Where was she? She had never been out this late, come to think of it, she had never been out at night before – unless it was family related event where he'd be there with her most of the time.
They have been in this f*cked up relationship called marriage (which he knew was largely his fault even if he will never admit it) for the last 12 months, nothing's really change recently to warrant her to act 'out of character', has it?
Then, he shook his head at himself for not using his sense. Of course she'd be with Tatsuki! He was about to press dial when there was a knock on the door.
Sprinting to open the door, he gave an inward sigh of relief that she was back. He watched the taxi drove off before locking the door.
Turning back, he scowled when he saw her bending over as she tried to remove her champagne pink 3 inch heels. If possible, his scowl stretched further when he saw how short her dress was. Fighting the heat that crept on his face, he hated how much he appreciated the way the black dress hugged her figure, showing off her long luscious legs, her firm round butt, although it was not low cut, the material above the bustier and the sleeves was completely-see through-lace, and her alluring bosoms were just too obvious due to their size.
Getting his mind out of the gutter, he spoke.
"Who were you with?"
"Mh, I thought I mentioned I was with Tatsuki, Chizuru and Keiko these two days," she slurred, "seems like you never bother remembering what I say,"
"Where were you?" his voice was calm but he was definitely angry as soon as he realised she had been drinking, alot.
"Out,"
"Out – where? Are you sure you were with them? What are you wearing anyway?" this time, he was starting to get pissed with his rising tone.
Clutching one hand to her pounding head, she frowned at the noise her husband was making.
"Answer. Me. Orihime."
Letting out a groan, she lifted her eyes and glared at him.
"What's it to you? What am I to you?"
Brown eyes widened as they bored into blurred grey ones.
"You're a married woman! Act like one!"
"A married woman?" she repeated. Then, she laughed.
"What is wrong with you? How can Tatsuki let you drink this-" he reached out for her arm but she swatted his hand away.
"Well, I'm tired of being the perfect little wife while you sleep with every girl that jumps in your way."
Clenching his fist, the orange head's brows shot skywards, his lips pressed into a thin line.
"You're accusing me now?" he took an intimidating step towards her, leaving merely inches between them. "Prove it!"
"I saw you Ichigo! I saw you with that blonde outside the hotel that day!" this time she didn't bother to control her outburst of tears.
He was furious.
How could he explain himself, when she already made the assumption and stated it 'as a matter of fact'?
Yes, he was a known playboy, he fooled around... but he slept with someone else once when he was drunk... and it left him feeling like shit. But that was ages ago! Ever since he saw her cry when she found out, that had been the last time he fooled around. So how can she go accusing him just because she saw him with one girl?
Not wanting to lose his temper, he let out a harsh breath and walked away.
.
.
"Why don't you want me?"
.
.
He turned.
And there she was, looking so vulnerable in front of him. Her tears had ruined her make-up, but she still looked beautiful.
At that moment, he didn't care what kind of f*cked up marriage they were in. He wasn't really thinking as he crushed her frame to his and kissed her like there was no tomorrow.
.
.
.
.
End.
Blitch out (23.11.10)
I know I've probably opened more room for questions instead of provide the answers. But I hope you can play a game of 'guess 'as to where this fic is heading. If not, please be patient cos I'd always join my web of plot =) Once again, constructive criticism are much appreciated.